A replica of the ‘Stone of Destiny’ on which the Kings of Scotland were traditionally crowned, at Scone (pronounced skoon) Palace in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. In 1296, Edward I of England brought the original stone to England and placed it under the throne in Westminster Abbey to symbolise what he regarded as the subordination of Scottish kings to the English crown. Robert de Brus’s grandson Robert I of Scotland forced the English to promise the stone’s return by the Treaty of Northampton in 1328, but the promise was not fulfilled until 1996. It is now kept in Edinburgh Castle.
Introduction
In 1292, John Balliol became King of Scots thanks to the baffling decision of the Scottish noblemen to let King Edward I of England decide between John and his rival for the crown, Robert de Brus, Lord of Annandale. Edward immediately let it be known that he regarded John as his vassal, and Scotland as an English fiefdom; but John Barbour felt that no Scottish King should serve two masters.
AH! freedom is a noble thing. Freedom makes a man to have zest in life, and gives him all comfort. He that lives free, lives at ease. A noble heart can have no ease, nor aught else to pleasure it, if freedom fail. For liberty to please oneself is desired above all things.
Nor may he who has always been free well know the actual state, the suffering and wretchedness, that are coupled with foul thraldom. But if he had made trial of it, then should he know it all by heart, and should think freedom more to be prized than all the gold in the world. Thus ever more do untoward things make evident their opposites. He that is thrall has nought his own; all that he has is abandoned to his lord, whoever he be. He has not even so much freedom as to leave alone, or do, the desire of his heart.
Précis
Fourteenth-century poet John Barbour broke off from his retelling of the life of Robert the Bruce to reflect on how noble freedom is, giving both spice and comfort to life. He guessed that only those who had tasted slavery really knew how precious freedom was, and that nothing would induce them to part with it again. (56 / 60 words)
Fourteenth-century poet John Barbour broke off from his retelling of the life of Robert the Bruce to reflect on how noble freedom is, giving both spice and comfort to life. He guessed that only those who had tasted slavery really knew how precious freedom was, and that nothing would induce them to part with it again.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, because, besides, despite, must, otherwise, whereas, whether.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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